I like it! We always put a tree up (artificial) for Christmas. The Buddha was enlightened under a tree and so were all the previous Buddhas, so I like the symbol of the tree both for Buddhism and for the holiday.

Hickersonia's altar is top shelf - you can see trash bins out the window, it's perfect.

"And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

"And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]

It is my understanding that the decision to have a shrine room/altar is very much a matter of personal preference. The Buddha statue itself won't do much but serve as a visual representation of your practice. It can be a wonderful reminder of the Dhamma, or just (as many people now have) a decoration in a living room. Your mind will determine what you make of your shrine/altar.

As for myself, mine is basically the only thing in my bedroom besides the rug on the floor, so it is nearly impossible to miss. Everything else, including my bed, stays in the closet. I understand that my example is a bit extreme, but it helps me in my practice and thats what matters!

If you think it is something that you would benefit from, then I certainly recommend it. It doesn't have to be a costly endeavor either.

This offering maybe right, or wrong, but it is one, the other, both, or neither!Blog,-Some Suttas Translated,Ajahn Chah."Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."

VictoryInTruth wrote:Got a new Buddha statue for my little shrine and wanted to show it to all of you. I believe that the pose of this Buddha statue is a Blessing pose. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.

Beautiful! I like the sort of antique look. The gesture also looks like the "teaching pose" or mudra, but not sure which one it is specifically. Either way, it looks good.

VictoryInTruth wrote:Got a new Buddha statue for my little shrine and wanted to show it to all of you. I believe that the pose of this Buddha statue is a Blessing pose. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.

VictoryInTruth wrote:Got a new Buddha statue for my little shrine and wanted to show it to all of you. I believe that the pose of this Buddha statue is a Blessing pose. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.

Beautiful! I like the sort of antique look. The gesture also looks like the "teaching pose" or mudra, but not sure which one it is specifically. Either way, it looks good.

Thanks. I too like the antique look.... It took me awhile to find a statue that had just the right amount of peace and serenity in its face. This statue is my favorite of all the Buddha statues I have purchased in the past.

VictoryInTruth wrote:Got a new Buddha statue for my little shrine and wanted to show it to all of you. I believe that the pose of this Buddha statue is a Blessing pose. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.

Simplicity = beauty. Very nice, friend.

Thanks as well. I don't like my meditation shrine to be overwhelmed with a lot of statues or decoration... Its a distraction.

VictoryInTruth wrote:Got a new Buddha statue for my little shrine and wanted to show it to all of you. I believe that the pose of this Buddha statue is a Blessing pose. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.